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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20051690 Ver 1_Erosion Evaluation 2_200708034r/W EcoScience Corporadon 1101 Haynes Street, Suite 101 Raleigh, North Carolina 919-828-3433 EcoScience MEMORANDUM TO: George Howard, p,1G 2001 Restoration Systems, LLC (RS) aATEK G JAU'Y FROM: Matt Cusack WUt,pNpSMlDST01t4VATERBRMCH DATE: July 25, 2006 RE: Erosion Evaluation No. 2 (6-26-2006) 06-277.02 The purpose of this memorandum it to provide you with the results of the second erosion assessment of the former impoundment of the Carbonton Dam performed in accordance with your Section 401 permit obligations. The former impoundment included 126,673 linear feet of affected stream reaches that extended throughout portions of Lee, Chatham, and Moore Counties, North Carolina. This evaluation was performed to document any evidence of erosion within the former impoundment including but not limited to bank failure, loss of stream bank trees, severe head-cuts, and the loss or gain of large depositional features. History The North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ) Section 401 permit condition #9 associated with the Carbonton Dam - Deep River Restoration Site requires that a "survey [of] the present lake bed and its flooded tributaries [shall occur] at least every two weeks (bi-weekly) or within three days of a rain more than or equal to one inch at Moncure, NC." In order to satisfy permit condition #9, Restoration Systems, LLC authorized EcoScience Corporation (ESC) to conduct weather related erosion evaluations within the former Carbonton Impoundment (ESC Proposal P06-003 January 13,2006). As described in greater detail within the summary memorandum for erosion transit 1, ESC has observed that the greater than or equal to one-inch rain events that generate a corresponding rise in river stage appear to result in a river stage increase to at least 1500 cubic feet per second (cfs). Thus, ESC proposes to use the correlation between large, regional rain events that cause more than a 1500 cfs reading at the Ramseur gaging station to be the "initiation threshold" for a field evaluation. ESC estimates that this initiation threshold occurs after a river stage rise equal to ten percent of bankfull. Methods The remnants of Alberto, the season first tropical storm of 2006, unleashed heavy rain over a large area of central North Carolina on June 13, 2006. The National Weather Service recorded 7.6 inches of rain at its Raleigh office with as much as 8 inches of rain recorded along the storm's path. While the Deep River stage was still elevated a second, large non-tropical rainfall event resulted in an average of 2.1 inches of rainfall within the upper Deep River watershed on June 24, 2006 (Figure 1). Included in the storms path was the upper watershed of the Deep River including Guilford, Moore, and Randolph counties. The resulting event caused the USGS gauge at Ramseur to register a peak discharge on June 23, 2006 of 7700 cubic feet per second (cfs) (Figure 2). The "initiation threshold" from this storm occurred on June 23 and the "evaluation threshold" on June 25. An erosion evaluation was conducted within the formerly impounded reaches of the Deep River on June 26, 2006. The activities on June 26 included observation points along the main stem of the Deep River and at accessible points along tributaries that comprised the former site impoundment. The activities on June 27 included a survey assessment of the substrate bar located between NC42 and the former dam location within the Deep River. The duties carried out on June 26 were required to be completed within a 72 hour period of June 25. ESC expects to continue using these methods for future evaluations of greater than 1500 cfs river stage events. River Transit Erosion Evaluation A two-person team performed a twelve-mile canoe transit of the Deep River. The point of ingress was the Glendon Carthage Road bridge and the point of egress was the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission boat ramp (Figure 3). The team stopped at the mouth of all credited tributaries as described in the Mitigation Plan (Restoration Systems 2006) as well as at points along the river where notable conditions occurred. At each observation point, GPS data was collected for the location, photography and/or videography was taken, and notes were recorded to describe the condition. Observation points previously evaluated during the first erosion evaluation (May 1, 2006) that showed no signs of change are not documented by this current evaluation. The numeric labels assigned to each observation point are unique to only this evaluation. Observation points from the first erosion evaluation (May 1, 2006) that were revisited during this evaluation have been noted in the text. River Observation Point 1 River Observation Point 1 is located on the Deep River downstream of the Glendon Carthage Road crossing (Figure 2). At this point on the Deep River, sediment and organic debris was scoured from the river bank and transported downstream following the rise in storm flow (Photo 1). This is a common occurrence in areas where herbaceous vegetation has not adequately established. Observation Point 1 was not formerly impounded, and is an example of ambient erosion that affects reference reaches of the Deep River. River Observation Point 2 River Observation Point 2 (previously evaluated on May 1, 2006) is located just downstream of the Norfolk-Southern rail bridge on the Deep River (Figure 2). Continued erosion and loss of bank material was observed. The increase in storm flow discharged from beneath the bridge results in an increased sediment transport capacity. Stream banks remain nearly vertical as large boulders continue to accumulate at the toe of the slope (Photo 2). River Observation Point 3 River Observation Point 3 (previously evaluated on May 1, 2006) is located on the Deep River at the confluence with Lick Creek (Figure 2). Bank erosion was not an issue at the confluence and there was no evidence of the formation of a head-cut. A large logjam has formed within the Deep River at the confluence from an accumulation of woody debris that has been trapped behind a recent tree fall (Photo 3). River Observation Point 4 River Observation Point 4 is located on the Deep River approximately 1000 feet below the X confluence with Lick Creek near Monitoring Cross-section 9 (Figure 2). At this location a tree and surrounding bank material has eroded into the Deep River. The increase in storm flow, combined with scouring beneath the tree and poorly established herbaceous vegetation, has contributed to bank instability (Photo 4). River Observation Point 5 River Observation Point 5 is located on the Deep River at the confluence with the upstream end of an oxbow near McClendon's Creek. At this location well established herbaceous vegetation was observed to have been scoured due to an increase in storm surge. Most of the vegetation appeared to be intact and holding bank material in place (Photo 5). During the storm event this area was inundated as noted by sediment deposition on vegetation surrounding the oxbow channel. River Observation Point 6 River Observation Point 6 (previously evaluated on May 1, 2006) is located on the Deep River at the confluence with McClendon's Creek (Figure 2). No erosion or bank failures could be seen from the confluence and the majority of the banks remained well vegetated following the rise in storm flow (Photo 6). River Observation Point 7 River Observation Point 7 (previously evaluated on May 1, 2006) is located on the Deep River at the confluence with Big Governors Creek (Figure 2). Minor erosion and bank failures could be seen from the confluence and the majority of the banks remained well vegetated following the rise in storm flow. A few areas at waters edge showed continued scouring but the majority of the bank material appeared stable and still intact. A large accumulation of woody debris has collected at the confluence (Photo 7). River Observation Point 8 River Observation Point 8 (previously evaluated on May 1, 2006) is located near Monitoring Station 5 at the confluence of the Deep River and an unnamed tributary (Figure 2). The previously k observed head-cut has continued to transport sediment from the tributary and the banks show ocontinued signs of erosion. Large amounts of bank material have sloughed into the tributary channel and deposition has accumulated at the confluence with the Deep River. The nearly closed canopy over the tributary has greatly limited the establishment of herbaceous vegetation which i would provide additional bank stability (Photo 8). River Observation Point 9 River Observation Point 9 (previously evaluated on May 1, 2006) is located on the Deep River at the confluence with an unnamed tributary on the Knight Cattle Corporation property (Figure 2). A head- cut has continued to migrate up the tributary and bank material continues to erode. Herbaceous vegetation has not established and banks are steep and incised as a result of storm flow scour (Photo 9). River Observation Point 10 River Observation Point 10 (previously evaluated on May 1, 2006) is located on the Deep River at the confluence with an unnamed tributary (Figure 2) near Monitoring Station 27. A head-cut has X continues to transport sediment from the tributary and has eroded further upstream. In some areas the banks are steep and incised. A large tree has fallen from the banks at the confluence and has accumulated additional woody debris from the Deep River (Photo 10). River Observation Point 11 V River Observation Point 11 (previously evaluated on May 1, 2006) is located on the Deep River at the confluence with an unnamed tributary (Figure 2). A large head-cut at the confluence appears to have only slightly migrated upstream, but bank material continues to erode. Lack of vegetation on the banks of the confluence has allowed for continued transport and erosion of bank material (Photo 11). River Observation Point 12 River Observation Point 12 (previously evaluated on May 1, 2006) is located on the Deep River at the confluence with an unnamed tributary (Figure 2) near Monitoring Station 2. The banks of the tributary at the confluence remain very steep, and previously observed head-cuts appear to have only slightly moved up the tributary. Significant erosion of bank material continues and a large tree fall at the confluence has slowed the transport of sediment from the tributary (Photo 12). River Observation Point 13 River Observation Point 13 (previously evaluated on May 1, 2006) is located on the Deep River at Ix. the confluence with an unnamed tributary (Figure 2) near Monitoring Station 23. A large head-cut has continued moving sediment out of the tributary and banks remain steep and unvegetated. Only minor signs of bank erosion near the confluence were observed (Photo 13). River Observation Point 14 River Observation Point 14 (previously evaluated on May 1, 2006) is located on the Deep River at X the confluence with Line Creek (Figure 2). Line Creek continues to experience severe bank erosion. Banks within Line Creek are deeply incised and sediment accumulation at the confluence has increased. Large amounts of woody debris are scattered throughout the channel (Photo 14). Land Transit Erosion Evaluation A two-person team reviewed as many credited tributaries during daylight hours as possible at public road crossings. Either a 500 foot reach or 20 bankfull widths of each credited tributary were evaluated at each stop, whichever was greater. Some long-term monitoring stations were visited that were not on credited reaches to compare conditions to previous visits in order to further describe the extent of the flooding event. At each observation point, photographs were taken and notes were recorded to describe notable conditions. Land Observation Point 1 Land Observation Point 1 was taken at the crossing of Carbonton Road and Line Creek, a credited tributary to the Deep River (Figure 2). Signs of increased flow were apparent; however, no QyA significant erosion conditions were observed. Sediment deposition was observed within the W"? M' adjacent floodplain on leaves and vegetation near the ground surface. The banks of Line Creek S4 tYld appear generally stable and well-vegetated, resulting in little to no erosive action. Beaver activity L4? and debris upstream of the road crossing resulted in a water table height increase that slowly returned to baseflow elevation without significant flow velocity (Photos 15-17). Land Observation Point 2 Land Observation Point 2 was taken at Monitoring Station 45 near the crossing of Cool Springs Road and McClendons Creek (Figure 2). This section of McClendons Creek is a non-credited section but was visited to compare the stream condition that was observed previously during monitoring station sampling. Stormflow appears to have been above bankfull, though there were no signs of significant bank failure observed. Streamflow appears to have overtopped the road at its crossing of McClendon's Creek at this point, as large amounts of gravel were found to have been washed a short distance downstream (Photo 18). A moderate layer of fine sediment was observed on streamside vegetation signifying some erosion/sedimentation in the upstream watershed and significant drainage patterns were observed outside the channel of McClendon's Creek. Large and numerous pools of standing water were found within the floodplain of McClendon's Creek at this location, indicating overbanking of the stream with little subsequent drainage (Photos 19-20). Land Observation Point 3 Land Observation Point 3 was taken at Monitoring Station 47 near the crossing of Glendon Carthage Road and McClendons Creek, a credited tributary to the Deep River (Figure 2). As expected, signs of more significant stormflow were apparent at Land Observation Point 3 in comparison to Land Observation Point 2 located further upstream on McClendons Creek. Stormflow appears to have been at or over bankfull though no significant bank failures were noted. Undercut banks as well as several areas of exposed, unvegetated bank areas, subject to potential erosion were observed (Photos 21-23). A moderate layer of fine sediment was observed on streamside and floodplain vegetation signifying erosion/sedimentation in the upstream watershed. Land Observation Point 4 Land Observation Point 4 was taken at Monitoring Station 40 near the crossing of Steel Bridge Road and Little Governors Creek, a credited tributary to the Deep River (Figure 2). This section of Little Governors Creek received significant stormflows with overbank flooding apparent in multiple locations. A large tree has fallen as the bank beneath it has been undercut substantially (Photo 24). Many stretches of streambank along this reach of Deep Governors Creek show signs of severe undercutting (Photo 25) and in several areas, portions of the banks have sloughed off. Just downstream from the Steel Bridge Road bridge, a large tributary is deeply incised with evidence of large, recent alluvial deposits near its confluence with Deep Governors Creek (Photo 26). Summary The rain event which triggered this erosion evaluation caused the USGS gauge at Ramseur to register a peak discharge on June 23, 2006 of 7700 cubic feet per second (cfs). This peak discharge is more than three times the peak discharge (2400 cfs) of the storm event which initiated the first erosion evaluation on May 1, 2006. Despite the dramatically higher rainfall totals and peak discharge associated with this storm, the Deep River and its tributaries were observed to experience similar levels of sediment erosion as those observed during the first evaluation. Head- cuts observed during the first evaluation continue to transport sediment from the tributaries into the Deep River. Scouring and erosion of tributary banks was only problematic in areas where herbaceous vegetation has not established. Banks of the Deep River are stable and generally well vegetated, with a few areas of undercutting observed. Woody debris was still evident throughout the former impoundment, but bridge spans did not accumulate as much material as noted during the first evaluation. SUBSTRATE ISLAND SURVEY In addition to the erosion evaluation, multiple cross-sections of the substrate island between the NC 42 bridge and the former dam footprint of the Carbonton Dam were completed on June 27, 2006. Three (3) permanent cross-sections previously established over the substrate island, and one (1) permanent cross-section previously established just upstream of the former dam, were completed. Figure 4 maps the location of the substrate island cross-sections and Figure 4A compares the cross-sectional surveys of May 2, 2006 and June 27, 2006. Erosion of the substrate island is primarily evident within cross-section 1 with scouring along the outside of the bend on the left bank. Cross-sections 2 and 3 show only minor signs of sediment transport from within the channel and no signs of change at the river banks. Cross-section 4 shows that the Deep River is stable at the location of the former dam. DEEP RIVER EROSION EVALUATION FIGURES (9 z z z m V 3 N m L u o ? O ZO Esc ww? C' C a+ U H O? y05 C yo m o N N LL Z ?Q tmU l0 LroN W ¢ .. o j 0. u m?0 L)00 -t EN C U N z C7 o II Lmi/ m ~ U Q W J U Z r H_ co .. N p w ' U m F- W U W m m j° F U U a ? O O ' W } C ca c O 0 z . -A- n N L N (O T U 4-- cu CO E a C U a) w Q) __ L, a) N a7 co d EN : lL N c- ? 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